TEAM INFO

Friday, March 1, 2013

LU Opens OUA Final Four Vs #1 Carleton

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2013

Thunderwolves Take on Ravens in Game 1 of Wilson Cup Final Four

THUNDER BAY, ON -

Upon qualifying for the Wilson Cup Final Four, the men's basketball team have come up against the titan of CIS Men's Basketball, the Carleton Ravens. The two teams will do battle on Friday evening at 6pm ET, with live coverage provided by The Score Television Network.

The Wilson Cup Final Four is being hosted by Ryerson University in the beautiful Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto. Along with the Ravens and Thunderwolves, the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Windsor Lancers are also in the mix, with the top 3 finishers being awarded a berth at the CIS Final 8 next weekend in Ottawa.

Although a daunting task has been presented to the Thunderwolves, this group has proven its resiliency in the past, and are unwavering in their efforts to contend for another Wilson Cup, having captured their first one 2 years ago, with many of the same personnel still in uniform who raised Wilson after beating Carleton in 2011.

One of those is Yoosrie Salhia, who was announced as an OUA West 1st Team All-Star earlier today, along with defensive specialist Greg Carter (Ottawa, ON), who would like nothing more than to send a message to the Ravens on Friday. Another from the championship team is Ryan Thomson, who also made the OUA West 1st All-Star Team, but whose status heading into the weekend is shaky at best following an injury last weekend versus McMaster.

With Thomson on the mend, it will be up to the Thunderwolves' supporting cast to make it happen this weekend, which is an act they are not unfamiliar with. Matthew Schmidt (Thunder Bay, ON) has proven on multiple occasions he is capable of providing not only outside scoring, but also an active body in the lane and on the glass. Traditional 6th man Joseph Jones (Washington, DC) is also ready to step up and make plays, and reserve forward Brendan King (Petawawa, ON) (who recently got off the injured list) has the body and will to be an effective rebounder when called upon.

Guard Ben Johnson (Pictou, NS) and Dwayne Harvey (Hamilton, ON) have also picked up their games in the past month after having consistency issues earlier in the season, and OUA All-Rookie Joe Hart (Southend, UK) is another outside weapon to fill the void left by Thomson.

The Ravens, meanwhile, have no shortage of individual talent (Brothers Phillip and Thomas Scrubb, Tyson Hinz, and Clinton Springer-Williams to name a few) but what makes them so tough is their ability to move, score and defend as a single unit. If Lakehead can create some disruption in their seemingly 'un-fazable' system of execution, there is a chance for contention.

As coach Scott Morrison explains, slowing down the Ravens' transition game and controlling the boards is only the beginning:

"We are expecting an excellent showcase of basketball for the OUA this weekend as four of Canada's top teams will be in attendance, including the top team, Carleton. To compete with Carleton the first step is to slow them down in transition and match their effort on the glass. No small tasks in themselves but at least a sensible area for us to begin. After those two steps, there are about 15 more steps - which is what makes them so tough. That being said we are going to give 100% effort, one possession at a time, and try to make them earn their looks at the hoop. If we can catch a few breaks we have a chance to be in the game during crunch time."

Live coverage of the games will be provided by The Score Television Network